New "members" with items for sale
 

There seems to be a small wave of brand new "members" posting items for sale as their only posts. I find this disturbing. Perhaps I am off-base on this, but my understanding of this site is that its primary purpose is an opportunity to share information on the Luger, not for venders to push their merchandise. KFS

Agree with you Karl. Auction Arms, Gunbroker and Guns America are for the sellers. The "for sale" section on the Forum is, IMO, just a side bar to the entire Forum.

Don't view the for sale section.

Well, I agree with Karl,

I like to see whats for sale, but if folks don't contribute and only try to sell, well, its not very helpful or the purpose of the forum...
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Karl,

yes , I had noticed the same trend and now the first thing I look at on a for sale item is the join date and prior posts

I think buying same would be kind of like taking a buy it now on auction for someone with 0 or low # rating

Bill

Doc is correct that the "For Sale" section is just a side bar to the intent of the Forum. Folks looking to sell a gun, Lugers in particular, are going to scout about for a suitable venue and usually stumble upon one of the forums. What is a little annoying is that they frequently will enter a "what is it worth" post and then offer it for sale. But, if you keep an open mind, that is OK too.

There are a whole bunch of people out there that come into the possession of a Luger that know absolutely nothing about them (and a few that know nothing but think they do) so they search out answers. A lot of the original owners are passing away and the new kids inherit their guns. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to sell to folks that are interested. The regualrs should know enough about what they are buying and be smart enough to use adequate safeguards to protect the transaction.

Every now and then a real gem comes along and the collecting community benefits from the opportunity to acquire it. Sure beats chasing down a gun and then finding out that the owner just traded it to a guy down the road for a bag of dog food and a box of shotgun shells. And I don't see very many vendors trying to sell here, but there are more than a few references to vendors and/or auctions. Really nothing wrong with that either. It isn't like the for sale section is taking over the forum...yet.

Just my two cents. I like to see guns offered for sale. I'm not obligated to buy what is being offered for sale (and neither is anyone else:)).

...and perhaps one or two who pass off their guesses as fact?...

... http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/anim_peep.gif ...

I am probably one of the newer members or fewer posts than many of you. I haven't listed anything for sale but have purchased several things from the sales portion of forum. Several forums I belong to require a certain number of posts and one requires time of membership before selling is allowed. I don't have a problem with forums requiring either time or posts in order to post items for sale, gives us a time to get to know each other.
Bill

I agree with Ron Wood. I enjoy reading the posts for things for sale and hope to find items that meet my needs/wants. Nobody is forced to read the FOR SALE postings. I think the real issue is about people trying to sell something for the first or second time without any sort of track record. The 3 day inspection and return idea should take care of that.

I've been burned here once from a sale from a "new member', and have negotiated a couple of great deals from a couple of "new members".

I have done much better instituting a kind of background check for someone not a regular forum member. For example, on my most recent purchase, I asked for a place of employment and asked to call the gentleman at his work number. I verified the company via the internet from the phone number. He owned his own construction company and happily took my call. Not fool-proof, but put me at ease and everything went great.

I will also sometimes ask if I can fly to their location and see the item in person. I don't intend to, but if they balk that speaks volumes.

I sincerely appreciate the trader section as an opportunity to trade/buy/sale with other collectors in the community, and only use GB/AA/ebay when necessary.

Clark

I agree with Ron and Herman;I like to see things for sale.

Bob

I agree with Ron, I like to look at the wanted/sales section myself. Sometimes I have things that I can part with that someone else is looking for.

Lately I don't like to post "For Sale" items anymore because there are too many tire kickers...they ask 100 questions(most of which have been answered in the ad) and for tons of photos and then you never hear from them again, or they say there not ready to buy right now.

Jim

Interesting subject..The FS section can be a very vibrant and important section. I have aquired some gems on all of the Forums I visit.

Newbies that post..either before or after they ask what it's worth are part of the landscape.
Good advice has been given above by Clark..always important to authenticate your seller to protect yourself.

Most of the treasures I have aquired have been from other collectors. I have used the
Forums because eBay has gotten totally out of hand. The last time I put anything there the total take of the house was 20 percent. Unacceptable.

Every so often I get something I don't need in a trade or other deal and the FS section is ideal to offer it first..generally I try to pass on good deals because if it isn't priced right no one is interested.

Jim is right in one way..I rarely respond to wanted to buy ads. They rarely want it very bad and it's a waste of time or always has been for me.

The FS sections are always on my radar....

Jerry Burney

How do you enforce the 3 day inspection ???

Wtb & wts
 

I’m sure this will ruffle somebody’s feathers, but just because someone is new to this forum, and doesn’t post every five minutes, or make comments on every post, like some do, doesn’t mean they aren’t reading and learning about the Luger. Isn’t that the idea of this forum, sharing information?

How is it then, you can be upset to see a WTS or WTB from a newbie, just because he doesn’t have a certain number of post? That doesn’t make sense, nor does it mean he’s not reading on the forum and learning things from the old pros, finding out who does what and who has what. Just because he doesn’t post! Give me a Break.

Seems to me he is doing a service to the forum, by offering it here first, to someone he knows has an interest in the item. Not only that, but isn’t it nice to see what’s being offered and at what price?

If you don’t like commercial sales being posted, that’s one thing, although a lot of members are doing just that, but to want to restrict a newbie is just wrong.

I agree with your sentiments. As long as it is honest and well meant, there should be no restrictions on people joining to gain knowledge with the goal of selling something.
Hell, that's how I got involved with the forum!

Here, here!

And if any new 'sales only members' try to abuse the for sale section, just inform one of the moderators.

As a "still in my first year member" and a novice Luger collector. I must tell everyone the reason I found the forum was the "buy and sell section.
I rarely ever make posts, but I read the new posts on both forums every day. I have learned a wealth of knowledge here. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the knowledgeable members who post here. There are lots of beginners soaking up the wisdom you post.
Thanks, Craig from west Tennessee

I enjoy the for sale items. I can not see what the objection could be towards "first time people" listing. If you don't like it don't look. I am quite sure that the majority of the forum members do not object,but like me enjoy it. There are a few items which I do not look at regularly but that certaintly doesn't mean they should not be there. Bill